Pending connection

What it means

The device cannot reach the Shelly cloud. There are two possible reasons:

• It is not connected to your Wi-Fi.
• It is connected to Wi-Fi, but cannot reach the internet.

Go through the causes below in order. The first four solve most cases.

The four most common causes

1. Wrong Wi-Fi password

This is the most common cause — even when you are sure the password is right.

How to check: When the app asks for the Wi-Fi network, tap Edit and type the password again. Tap the eye icon to see what you typed. Look for a space at the end or a capital letter in the wrong place.

2. 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz have the same name

Shelly only works on 2.4 GHz. Many routers use the same network name for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz and push devices onto 5 GHz. Then the Shelly cannot connect.

How to fix: Give the two bands different names in the router settings. The router is usually at 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1 — check the manual if none of them work. See Wi-Fi and router setup for the settings we recommend.

3. Weak Wi-Fi signal

Both the Shelly and your phone need a good signal during setup.

How to check: Stand next to the Shelly with your phone on the 2.4 GHz network and try again. If it works there, the problem is Wi-Fi coverage, not the settings.

4. Cloud is turned off on the device

With cloud turned off, the Shelly works on your local network but never shows up in the app.

How to fix: Type the device’s IP address in a browser. You find the address in the device information in the app, or in the router’s list of connected devices. Go to Settings → Cloud and turn it on. See the web interface.

Router settings to check

If the four causes above are not the problem, check these settings in the router:

• Firewall: Some routers block new devices from reaching the internet. Allow the Shelly in the firewall.
• VPN or custom DNS: A VPN or custom DNS server on the router can block the connection to the Shelly cloud.
• Two devices with the same IP address: This makes both unstable. Reserve a fixed IP address for the Shelly in the router.
• Guest network with a login page (captive portal): The Shelly cannot accept terms in a browser. Use a normal network.
• Too many devices: Some routers from internet providers only allow about ten Wi-Fi devices.

If nothing works: set it up without the app

Try these steps in order. Each step takes more work than the one before.

1. Check the web interface. Type the device’s IP address in a browser and look at the Wi-Fi and cloud status. If cloud is off, turn it on (cause 4). See the web interface.

2. Network reset. This deletes the Wi-Fi settings and opens the device’s own access point. Schedules, scripts, calibration and the device name are kept. Then set up Wi-Fi by hand:

   • Connect your phone to the Shelly’s access point
   • Open http://192.168.33.1
   • Enter your Wi-Fi name and password
   • Turn on cloud in the same place

   This is method 2 in add a device. It shows you which step fails.

3. Factory reset — only as a last resort. It deletes everything. It does not remove the device from a Shelly account.

See reset a device for how to do each reset on your device.

Tips & best practices

• Check the signal before the wall is closed. Below about −70 dBm, you will get problems sooner or later.
• “Pending” is not always a fault. With cloud turned off, the device still works locally — it just does not show in the app.
• Guest networks never work. If the customer only has a guest network, they need a normal one.
• Reserve a fixed IP address for devices used by webhooks, scripts or Home Assistant.
• Update the firmware once the device is online. Several connection bugs are fixed in newer firmware. See update firmware.

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